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Religion: A tool for Sustainable Development

In this age of transition toward a world society, protection of the environment and
conservation of the earth's resources represent an enormously complex challenge. The rapid
progress in science and technology that has united the world physically has also greatly
accelerated destruction of the biological diversity and rich natural heritage with which the
planet has been endowed.This paper examines some of the beliefs and practices underlying
traditional Christianity, Islamic and Hinduism religions attitude towards nature and its
strategic extension as a tool for Environmental conservation.
Environmental protection and development are often projected as two regimes that cannot
operate without conflict. Every crop comes with weeds. The solution is not to halt cultivation
but to remove weeds as fast as they grow. The remedy for the ills of development is not to
give it up but to find innovative ways of mitigating its evils. Strategy is something that helps
you adapt to changing circumstances. A sustainable society is one that functions and lives in
harmony with earth systems such that future generations will be able to function with equal
or greater ease and the quality of life will in no way be diminished. Rapid development is
desirable only if it sustains good environment, and reduces economic disparities.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river were poisoned and the last fish been
caught will we realize we cannot eat money. (Cree Indian Prophesy)
Even the frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives. (Native American proverb)
The human mind made a fateful decision during the course of the Scientific Revolution; that
of ignoring the perennial wisdom of the worlds spiritual traditions. Scientific research and
development seemed to bring to the world technological superiority over nature. Lacking in
the austere self discipline of knowledge and impelled by greed, man has tried to become a
presiding deity of modern civilization. His emphasis has been on rights over obligations,
particularly in the context of natural environment, leading to discernable dysfunctions in the
form of environmental degradation which raises serious questions regarding the long term
viability of modern society.
What strategy can we formulate to protect this planet earth and keep it intact for future
generations? Changing circumstances and ongoing efforts make crafting a strategy for the
planet earth a work in progress and not a one time event. Honesty, integrity, keeping ones
word, respecting the rights of others are traits that a good individual is supposed to believe in
and to display. Religion can serve as a moral compass in guiding the actions and behaviors of
all individuals and organizations in this world.
In the words of Swami Vivekananda, Religion is the idea which is raising the brute unto
man and man unto God. Religion refers to both the personal practices related to faith as well
as to the larger shared system of belief. Practicing the tenets of religions of the world, we can
save this blue planet from annihilation. If we look at society from a historical perspective, we
realize that protection and preservation of the environment has been integral to the cultural
and religious ethos of most human communities. Ancient Muslim, Christians, Hindus,

Greeks, Native Americans and other


religions around the world have
venerated nature. Many saints &
prophets say that love for one another
(human brotherhood), love for all
creation (biotic and abiotic) and love for
oneself is religion. Religion is also a
formal system of belief in God.
Religious traditions teach us that the
Earth is sacred, the fact that traditionally
helps to exert control over how people
interact with the natural world.
The use of Religion as a tool for
environment conservation is justified
because firstly most lasting social
change is anchored in a deep moral
imperative. Secondly values based
rationales for protecting biodiversity are widely held and persuasive. Thirdly religion
humanizes and personalizes choices about environment and more importantly, understanding
ethics backed by individuals religions will help us make better decisions on complex issues
as shown in Fig-1.
Nonreligious Approach
Motivation required
Needs payment
Incentive
Tenure problem
Trust problem
Pressure (Imposing)
Shortage of `knowledge

Religious based Approach


Self Interest
Devotion
Psychological strength/Moral
Not very significant Tenure problem
No Trust problem
They are the ones to choose the
method
Source of the fitting knowledge

Natural elements air, water, fire, sky and earth are all life-giving and life-promoting. So are
the sun, moon, stars, and clouds. They heal and rehabilitate. They turn toxic materials into
whole and wholesome things. Nature is a source of raw materials. These natural resources are
given not for selfish exploitation by one group or nation or generation of another, but to be
shared by all creation. In every religion, there are instructions and teachings to the protection
of environment and the earth too. The table 1 below quotes the teachings about the
sustainability from the three main religion of the world.
Table -1: Theological philosophy pertaining to sustainability in the light of different
religions
Elements of
Sustainability
Site

Christianity
According to the entire Judeo-

Religions
Islam
Islam is that just

Hinduism
Hindus revere the Earth

Christian tradition, the Earth


belongs to God.
The earth is the Lords and the
fullness thereof . ( Ps 24.1)
The Bible is permeated with a
careful concern for preserving
the land and the earth
as an allotted heritage.
Christians must treat nature as
having value in itself, and
must be
careful to exercise dominion
without being destructive

Water

system which provides health


and useful in all walks of life
to human beings. Every
believer
shall
observe
moderation in all aspects of
life, if human beings ignore
moderation and unwise use
of natural resources, than
disintegration of settlement
would be come in existence.
In this way the system of
environment does not remain
useful to human life for a
longer time. Islam prohibited
man from creating disorder
and mischief on the earth.
Use
of
natural
resources of the earth
without
any
rule
or
regulation is the greatest
injustice and ingratitude
toward the favors of Allah.
Holy Quran [Al-Maidah:
36], [Al-Shura: 27,151,152],
[Al-Muminun: 71], [AlBaqarah: 60,204,205], [AlAraf: 85], [Al-Ankabut:
36], [Al-Qasas: 77]

as mother. She feeds,


shelters, and clothes us.
Without her we cannot
survive. If we as children
do not take care of her we
diminish her ability to
take care of us.- Dr.
Sheshagiri Rao, Chief
Editor of The
Encyclopaedia of
Hinduism

Water is an
invaluable gift of nature.
Its significance is that
Allah Almighty has
created all living things
from water and made their
life dependent on it. To
keep water clean and pure
is equally important for all
living beings same as its
necessity. Allah Almighty
has provided pure water
for drinking, hence we
must thank Him. All food
conducive for health is the
product of water. It is not
permissible for Muslims
to waste water and unwise
use of it.
The Prophet
Mohammad (PBUH)

"Do not disturb the sky


and do not pollute the
atmosphere." -Yajur
Veda,5:43

The Earth is our


mother and we are
all her children
( Atharva Veda
Bhumi Sukta )

discouraged waste of
water during ablution. He
also said: Even at the
bank of a running canal,
water should not be used
unnecessarily, Muslims
are not allowed to pollute
water, It is the duty of
Muslims to keep water
protected from the
injurious germs and
insects which cause
transferring of causes of
disease
[Al-Anbiya: 30] [AlAnfal: 11] [Al-Baqarah:
164] [Al-Nur: 45] [AlFurqan: 48-49] [Al-Nahl:
14] [Al-Araf: 31] [Sunan
Ibn Majah] [Sunan Abi Daud]
[Sahih Bukhari] etc

energy
Air

Material

Pope Benedict XVI has more


recently added Polluting the
environment in the modified
list of sins. While sin used to
concern mostly the individual,
today it has mainly a social
resonance, Monsignor
Gianfranco Girotti told
LOsservatore Romano,
Vatican Citys
local paper

"Do not cut trees,


because they remove
pollution." -Rig Veda,
6:48:17

Hindu religion wants its


followers to live a simple
life. It does not allow
people to go on
increasing their material
wants. People are meant
to learn to enjoy spiritual
happiness, so that to
derive a sense of
satisfaction and
fulfilment, they need not
run after material
pleasures and disturb
natures checks and
balances. Do not use
anything belonging to

Biodiversity

The Bible contains numerous


examples of the care with
which Christians are expected
to treat the environment.
Deuteronomy 25:4 and 22:6
indicate the proper care for
domestic animals and a
respect for wildlife.

nature, such as oil, coal,


or forest, at a greater rate
than you can replenish it.
For example, do not
destroy birds, fish,
earthworms, and even
bacteria which play vital
ecological roles; once
they are annihilated you
cannot recreate them.
Thus only can you avoid
becoming bankrupt, and
the life cycle can
continue for a long, long
time. - Swami
Vibudhesha Teertha,
Acharya of
Madhvacarya
Vaishnavas, Udupi,
Central Advisory
Committee Member of
the Visva Hindu Parishad

References

RELIGION : A SAVIOUR FOR ENVIRONMENT WITH PARTICULAR


EMPHASIS ON HINDUISM
Author : Mrs. Nandita Verma
Head, Faculty of Management Studies
Institute Of Technology & Management,
NH. No. 79, Bhilwara Chittor By-Pass
Chittor Road, Bhilwara
Rajasthan , India

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